Poilievre Slams Carney as ‘Weak’ After Trump Favors Liberals in Canada-U.S. Trade Rift

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken direct aim at Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, calling him “no friend of mine” and suggesting that Canada’s newly appointed Liberal Prime Minister, Mark Carney, would be easier to negotiate with. The remarks were made during a Fox News interview on Tuesday, where Trump criticized Canada’s trade practices and described the country as “one of the nastiest” to deal with.

“The Conservative that’s running is stupidly no friend of mine,” Trump said, referencing Poilievre. “I think it’s easier to deal actually with a Liberal and maybe they’re going to win, but I don’t really care. It doesn’t matter to me at all.”

In a press conference held in Sudbury, Ont., Poilievre dismissed Trump’s criticism and framed himself as a firm and unyielding leader capable of defending Canada’s trade interests.

“Mark Carney will cave in, and his Liberal policies will keep Canada weak—exactly how Trump wants it,” Poilievre stated. “Giving the Liberals another term will only make our country more vulnerable and benefit Donald Trump.”

The Conservative leader accused Carney of lacking the resolve to stand up against U.S. tariffs, warning that under Liberal leadership, Canada would become increasingly susceptible to American trade pressure.

Trump’s remarks coincided with a boost in support for the Liberals, as shown in recent polling by Ipsos for Global News. The survey, released Tuesday, revealed that if a federal election were held immediately, the Liberals would secure 42% of the vote among decided voters, while the Conservatives would trail at 36%.

This upward trend under Carney’s leadership could potentially position the Liberals for a majority government. The polling highlights a noticeable rebound in support since Carney succeeded former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last Friday.

The diplomatic rift between Ottawa and Washington has intensified in recent months, with both sides enforcing retaliatory tariffs. Trump’s administration imposed steep levies on Canadian exports, prompting Canada to respond with its own countermeasures.

During his Fox News interview, Trump revived his contentious claim that Canada should effectively be part of the United States.

“Canada was meant to be the 51st state because we subsidize Canada by $200 billion a year,” he asserted. “We don’t need their cars. We don’t need their lumber.”

However, trade figures contradict Trump’s statement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. recorded a goods trade deficit of approximately US$64.26 billion with Canada in 2023, down from US$78.19 billion the previous year. Yet, when excluding Canadian energy exports, the U.S. actually maintains a trade surplus of around US$60 billion with its northern neighbor.

As the trade dispute simmers, Carney is expected to have his first official conversation with Trump in the coming days. The dialogue will serve as a crucial test for the newly appointed prime minister, who must balance diplomatic ties with Washington while safeguarding Canada’s economic interests.

Meanwhile, speculation is growing over a potential early federal election, as the Liberals aim to capitalize on their recent surge in voter support.